WINCHESTER, VA — When members of Valley Health’s West Virginia Valley Medical Transport crew noticed a family huddled outside a local nursing home window, they got busy. They supplied the family with a pop-up tent and a heater.

Mark Nantz is Valley Health President and CEO. He says the crew’s efforts allowed the group to safely gather as they said their goodbyes to an ailing loved one inside.

Now, Inspired by the success of the first shelter, members of VMT have now set up additional gathering shelters at other area nursing homes.

Highs hovered in the mid-30’s much of last week. Since the start of the pandemic, family members have had to get creative about visiting vulnerable relatives, holding parties and eating lunch from the other side of a window and in some cases, saying goodbye remotely, as well.

Nantz says he is proud of the West Virginia team for going above and beyond.